JOE BRANCATO

Joe Brancato was cited by The New York Times as "one of America's most insightful directors." His Off-Broadway credits include The Devil's Music: The Life & Blues of Bessie Smith (2012 Lucille Lortel nomination, Outstanding Solo Show); Tom Dudzick's Miracle on South Division Street; Fall to Earth and Freed (Audelco Award nominee) at 59E59; Tryst (Outer Critics nomination for Best Play) starring Maxwell Caulfield; Cobb (Drama Desk winner) produced by Kevin Spacey in NYC and LA; From Door To Door at the Westside Theatre; One Shot, One Kill at Primary Stages; Two and a Half Jews; My Italy Story; Ricky Ian Gordon's The Matter of Minutes; Escape from Happiness (starring Marsha Mason), The Big Swing (starring Madeline Kahn, Sarah Jessica Parker, Matthew Broderick, Marisa Tomei) and Dr. Valentine's Waltz (starring John Turturro, Laura Linney, Gina Gershon, Jane Alexander) at Naked Angels; Hold the Wedding, produced by Joseph Papp. Regional credits: George Street Playhouse, Seattle Rep, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Houston's Alley Theatre (Sylvia, Stones in His Pockets, Mere Mortals, Tryst), Cleveland Play House, Hartford Stage Company, Westport Playhouse, Capital Rep, Boston's New Rep, Hartford Theatreworks, The Cape Playhouse and Florida Stage. As founding artistic director of Penguin Rep he has directed well over 100 productions there including premieres by Arthur Laurents, Lanie Robertson, William Mastrosimone, James Sherman, Steven Dietz, Allan Knee and Tom Dudzick.He commissioned and directed the play The Man Who Was Peter Pan, which was the basis for the Oscar-nominated film Finding Neverland starring Johnny Depp. He wrote the book for the musical Mae West at the Club El Fey. He was named Best Director by L.A. Scene for Santa Claus is Coming Out and received two Rockland County Executive Awards for artistic excellence. His staging of Tryst at Merrimack Repertory Theatre garnered New England's IRNE Award nominations for Best Director and Best Production earlier this year.

 

RECENT PROJECTS:

Class by Charles Evered (New York premiere)

At Penguin Rep Theatre

 

Tryst by Karolyn Leach

Off-Broadway at Irish Rep

At Hartford Theatreworks

 

The Devil's Music: The Life & Blues of Bessie Smith

At The Montreal Jazz Festival

 

UPCOMING PROJECTS:

The Devil's Music: The Life & Blues of Bessie Smith

At People's Light & Sound

At Merrimack Repertory Theatre

 

How the World Began by Catherine Trieschmann

Drop Dead Perfect by Erasmus Fenn (World Premiere)

At Penguin Rep Theatre